Jeff Blashill is set to be appointed as the 41st head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, as reported by Frank Seravalli of Moneyline. An official announcement from the Blackhawks is anticipated on Thursday.

The Blackhawks' recent coaching changes have seen Anders Sorensen, who was elevated from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, take over the team following the dismissal of Luke Richardson in December. Richardson's tenure ended after the Blackhawks posted an 8-16-2 record at the start of the season, during which the team ranked 31st in the NHL for goals scored per game, averaging 2.42. According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Blackhawks were optimistic about Sorensen, who achieved a 117-89-16-7 record over four seasons with the IceHogs. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks concluded the season under Sorensen with a record of 17-30-9, landing at the bottom of the Central Division for the third consecutive year.

Looking ahead, the primary challenge for the Blackhawks will be nurturing the development of their young players, particularly Connor Bedard. As the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard played a full 82 games in his second season, nearly matching his production from his injury-affected rookie campaign. Blashill's effectiveness in advancing Bedard's development, along with guiding the Blackhawks' upcoming 2025 first-round draft choice in adapting to the NHL, will be crucial for the team's rebuilding efforts. Blashill arrives at the Chicago position after spending three seasons as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he mainly oversaw the defense and penalty-killing strategies under head coach Jon Cooper. During his tenure, the Lightning improved their goals allowed per game from 22nd in the league to 4th in the 2024-25 season. The Blackhawks will be counting on Blashill to replicate such success, especially after finishing 31st in goals allowed this past season. Although the offense did not fare significantly better, ranking 26th in goals scored per game, Bedard stands out as a foundational player for the organization. While the Blackhawks' position calls for a long-term rebuild that necessitates patience, the potential for a future return to prominence remains strong if Blashill can deliver on expectations.